In the capital of South Sudan, Juba, troops have surrounded the residence of Vice President Riek Machar, escalating tensions after an armed group supportive of him took control of a military base in the northern region of the country. This development compounds the already delicate political situation following a series of dismissals that threatened the fragile 2018 peace agreement.
The Vice President, Machar, and President Salva Kiir have a long history of political rivalry, which has previously plunged the nation into a civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives. Last month, Machar warned that the recent dismissals of his allies from government positions posed a significant risk to the peace accord hammered out four years ago to end the five-year conflict.
The tension escalated further with the detention of Deputy Army Chief Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam on Tuesday, who remains loyal to Machar. Wednesday saw the arrest of Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol alongside his family and bodyguards; however, authorities have not provided reasons for these arrests.
The SPLM-IO party has remained silent on the recent outbreak of hostilities. However, the party’s spokesperson, Water Minister Pal Mai Deng, expressed concerns that Lam’s arrest threatens the entire peace process. Western diplomats have also weighed in, urging both sides to ease the growing tension in the region.
Amidst these rising tensions, Ter Manyang Gatwich, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy, issued a plea for the immediate release of the detained individuals. He warned that the continued escalation could spiral into a “full-scale war,” urging peaceful resolution to avoid bloodshed.
South Sudan finds itself struggling with the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement. Planned elections were postponed for two years last year due to financial constraints, indicating ongoing challenges in stabilizing the nation.
